Are you always excited for a beach weekend decked up with essentials to squish out the sand under your toes and roll over, but not sure about your Mountain Bike?
Do you live in a desert area that is all white or yellow sand and has minimum firm tracks to commute?
It is a very common thought that Mountain bikes are specifically designed for off-road and rocky terrain only and hence not suitable for the soft porous sand.
But the myth has broken now. There are specific Mountain Bikes For Desert Riding across the stores online or in markets.
Mountain bikes are well-suited to carry excursions mainly on stony rocky terrain and not on the soft sand of either deserts or beaches.
Especially on the beach, it becomes more difficult for one to carry out biking as the sand there is moist and usually hard, rather stuffed.
But if you’re a Mountain bike freak, nothing can stop you from your expedition.
There are specific Mountain Bikes for Desert Riding, that are equipped with modified components, making your mountain bike a bit compatible with the sand and its properties.
Or else I would suggest, even if you don’t have a specific mountain bike for desert riding, better modify your current bike to be one.
Let’s create an Oasis in the long-lost Desert; before it happens to be a Mirage for you..!
In the case of mountain biking on the sand, the basic requirement is the smooth gliding of the wheels along with firm traction.
The wheels of the bike, specifically, must be wide enough to create a stiff balance above the sand, while having the rider onboard.
Or else there are chances of them sinking in the sand, the reason being, lack of proper weight distribution.
Hence, precisely, the biggest is the brightest.
Also, to note, a tire with low pressure can equally be impactful while dealing with the stubborn sand, as the low pressure in the wheels would make them a little wider, just the fat-tire way.
This would fulfill the desired outcome. Hence, replace your bike wheels with much wider ones, or rather, fat tires.
Besides, you may use some really well lubricant to be applied over the chain in order to prevent the sand from sticking over it.
Also, speed acceleration must be between moderate to high and not low, as it increases the risk of sinking. Front brakes must be only and always used.
Let’s glide further in-depth to know about some pretty good mountain bikes for the beach bums or the Desert enthusiasts for their next sand excursion.
10 Best Mountain Bikes For Desert Riding – Comparison
| Name of MTB | Speed | Frame | Specialty | Price |
| Mongoose 2019 Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Bike | 7 speed | Steel | Best Value for Money | Check here |
| Krusher Men’s Dynacraft Fat Tire Bike | Single Speed | Steel | Best affordable | Check here |
| Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike | 21 speed | Carbon Steel | Best for tall riders | Check here |
| Mongoose Hitch Men’s All-Terrain Fat Tire Mountain Bike | 7 speed | Steel | Best Overall | Check here |
| Speedrid Electric Bike 48V 500W Fat Tire Electric Bike | 7 speed | Aluminum | Best Premium pick | Check here |
| Mongoose Juneau 26-Inch Fat Tire Bike | 6 speed | Aluminum | Best for cruising and sand riding | Check here |
| Sturdy Fat Bike with 26”x4” Tyres | 21 speed | Steel | Best attractive design | Check here |
| ECOTRIC 26” Fat Tire Electric Bicycle | 7 speed | Aluminum | Best e-bike MTB for desert riding | Check here |
| Framed Minnesota Fat Bike Mens | 10 speed | Aluminum | Best upgrade overall | Check here |
10 Best Mountain Bikes For Desert Riding – Review
1. Mongoose 2019 Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Bike
This ultimate fat guy is super capable to give you a wonderful and safe sand expedition either on the beachside or desert land.
The 7-speed drivetrain is made up of an ultra-strong steel frame. The 26”x4” fat knobby tire’s extra width lets you have better traction and stability over the porous soft sand.
Threadless headset and 3-piece crankset enable safety.
The Mongoose 2019 Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Bike features lightweight yer durable alloy wheels, Shimano twist shifters, and Shimano rear derailleur for better gear shifting and the safest of biking.
It has dual disc brakes that provide quick stopping power over surfaces like sand or snow.
Pros
- Super-strong steel frame with the durability
- 7-speed with Shimano twist shifters and Shimano rear derailleur for easy gear shifting
- Dual disc brakes enable safe stopping over bumpy and porous sand
- 38” tall bike is suitable for the riders of height ranging between 5’4” to 6’2”
- Partially pre-assembled
Cons
- Front-wheel comes off from the fork
- Pedals and handlebar are loosely fit
2. Krusher Men’s Dynacraft Fat Tire Bike
The Krusher Men’s Dynacraft Fat Tire Bike is a single-speed ultra-strong and durable mountain bike all perfect for sand excursions.
It features a steel frame and 26” super fat knobby tires that sit on lightweight aluminum rims.
This bike features exclusively crafted handlebars, an adjustable seat post, 3-piece crankset, that adds to the biking.
It has rear disc brakes which enable powerful and quick stopping while gliding over the porous sand or snow.
Pros
- Superstrong 26” steel frame
- 26” fat tires provide stability over sand and snow
- The seat post is adjustable and suitable for all riders
- Partially pre-assembled
Cons
- The handlebar is a little low
- The front brake caliper on the front fork is not aligned
- Front-wheel is a little tight
3. Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike
This perfectly suitable mountain bike for desert riding features an exclusive premium quality Carbon steel frame that is known for its strength and durability.
Hence that makes the bike perform long-lasting with no deformation or rusting.
The Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike is studded with 26”x4” wide super fat tires that are suitable to ride over any terrain, including sand, snow, mud, dirt, and city roads.
It has a front fork for shock absorption and powerful disc brakes for quick stopping.
The handlebar is attached that is of a fixed height.
The bike features a premium quality Shimano shift lever and a Shimano tourney gear for easily adjusting the speed while gliding across beachside or desert sand.
Pros
- Ultra-strong and durable steel frame
- 26”x4” wide fat tires give traction, grip, and comfortable biking experience on sand, snow, mud, dirt, and pavement
- The unisex bike is suitable for riders within height between 5’5” to 6’2”
- The maximum weight capacity is 440 pounds
- Around 85% pre-assembled
Cons
- Not suitable for short riders
- Poor welding
- Handlebar support is loosely fit
4. Mongoose Hitch Men’s All-Terrain Fat Tire Mountain Bike
This superior Mongoose bike features a strong and durable steel mountain frame that is all suitable for any off-road terrain including sand and snow.
The 26”x4 ¼” wide fat knobby tires are extremely large in size and thus are a perfect choice for a mountain bike for desert riding.
A 7-speed drivetrain with front and rear disc brakes gives excellent safety and stopping power.
Pros
- The ultra-strong premium quality steel frame makes the bike durable
- 26” wheelset has 4 ¼“ fat tires for the excellent sand excursion
- Smooth gear shifting
- 112 mm bottom bracket shell providing more power to the bike
- Extremely suitable for riders between a height of 5’4” to 6’1”
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat and saddle
- Heavy in weight
5. Speedrid Electric Bike 48V 500W Fat Tire Electric Bike
The Speedrid Electric Bike 48V 500W Fat Tire Electric Bike is a powerful electric bike equipped with a 48V 500Watt brushless motor, for excellent sand excursion.
The maximum speed limit ranges between 22-23 mph which enables uphill climbing and even gliding over sand with stability and control.
The 26” wheelset sits on a double-layer aluminum alloy rim. The e-bike features a larger capacity 48V 10 Ah lithium battery that is removable and quick charging.
It can take the bike for around 22 miles on a single charge. There is a total of 5 Pedal-assist levels.
The bike features an upgraded LCD display that has a 5-speed display, speed, battery, and mileage display.
The LCD display is larger enough to let the rider read the readings clearly.
The 7-speed drivetrain has a strong front fork made with carbon steel for smooth shock absorption and mechanical front and rear disc brakes.
Pros
- 7-speed transmission system with safety and control
- The bike has an ON/OFF button on the e-bike for battery saving
- It’s overall a cost-effective configuration
- Almost 85% pre-assembled
- No worry of being stolen due to advanced technology safety features
- The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds
Cons
- The throttle doesn’t work properly
- Certain issues with the display meter reported
6. Mongoose Juneau 26-Inch Fat Tire Bike
This super strength depicting no-suspension mountain bike is perfectly suitable for desert riding, as it’s specifically designed for riding on any terrain including sand, snow, or hills.
The Mongoose Juneau 26-Inch Fat Tire Bike features a single-sized aluminum alloy frame with hydroformed tubing that is lightweight yet durable.
26”x4” wide fat knobby all-terrain tires that sit on 3” wide alloy rims provide better traction over the sand surface.
16-speed SHIMANO swift trigger shifters and SHIMANO drivetrain enable smooth gearing and an overall great biking experience over sand and snow.
The bike has front and rear disc brakes that let the bike stop crisply and controlled over the porous sand.
Pros
- Single-sized lightweight yet durable aluminum alloy frame
- Perfectly suitable for riders with a height between 5’4” to 6’2”
- Complete value for money
- Around 85% pre-assembled
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Not suitable for short riders
- Poor quality bottom bracket and front crank gear
7. Sturdy Fat Bike with 26”x4” Tyres
The mountain bike features an 18” sturdy carbon steel material, that is strong, durable, and highly efficient.
The Sturdy Fat Bike with 26”x4” Tyres is a 21-speed drivetrain with a front suspension fork and Tourney RD-TZ50 Rear Derailleur.
It features a wheelset of 26”x4” wide tires with a single wall alloy rim, that provides traction and safety over porous surfaces like that of sand or snow.
They also work excellently in low pressure. It has front and rear disc brakes, a quick-release Seatpost, pedals made of aluminum alloy.
All the other components and are made up of tough carbon steel material.
Pros
- 18” extremely strong Carbon steel frame
- Well suited for off-road as well as on-road excursions
- 26”x4” wide fat tires work on low pressure providing great traction
- 160 MM dual disk brakes enables exactly suitable braking that is required over the sand during riding
- Suitable for riders between height 5’4” to 6’2”
- The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds
Cons
- Poor gear set quality
- Overpriced
8. ECOTRIC 26” Fat Tire Electric Bicycle
This is an extremely powerful and cost-efficient fat tire bike well-suited for sand excursions on beachsides or deserts.
It is a fat electric mountain bike for desert riding which eminently features a 500W brushless rear motor and 36V/13AH removable lithium battery.
This provides enough power to the bike with a maximum speed limit of 20 mph.
The 26” frame is made up of lightweight aluminum alloy with an adjustable hydraulic high suspension front fork.
26”x4” wide fatty tires sit on lightweight alloy rims for better traction.
The e-bike features front and rear disc brakes, a 36V LCD power display, and included fast charger.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum alloy frame with attractive design
- 36V 13 Ah Removable battery that can be charged anywhere and so cannot be stolen
- Ergonomically designed handlebar, adjustable seat post, and anti-skid tires
- The maximum speed limit can be programmed as per the rider’s location
- Fast charging charger included
- Throttle and Pedal assist modes available for your convenience
- The maximum weight capacity is 265 pounds
- Up to 90% pre-assembled
Cons
- Not suitable for short riders
9. Framed Minnesota Fat Bike Mens
This mountain bike suitable for desert riding is an all upgraded version of the Shimano Deore M6000 rear derailleur with a 10-speed drivetrain.
It features a frame made up of 18” 6061 aluminum alloy with an aluminum alloy fork to stabilize the weight and keeping it lightweight and durable.
Improvised 10-speed SHIMANO shifters provide easy smooth gearing.
The Framed Minnesota Fat Bike Mens features front 135mm and rear 170mm axle spacing, mechanical disc brakes, integrated NECO headset, and unique advanced geometry.
Besides, it features a 19mm rise aluminum handlebar and comfortable VELO saddle.
Pros
- Exclusively upgraded 6061 Aluminum alloy frame
- 10 gears system for smooth gearing
- The maximum weight load is 280 pounds
- KMC X10 Stretch-resistant which is premium quality rust-resistant one
- Wellgo B223BN high-quality plastic trail pedals attached
- Overall a perfect advanced geometry
- Complete value for money
Cons
- Takes longer to assemble
- The neck is a little longer as per few users
Comparison Table for Top 3 Best Mountain Bikes For Desert Riding
| Name | Wheel Size | Frame | Speed | Brake Style | Suspension | Rating |
| Outroad Fat Tire Mountain Bike | 26” | Carbon Steel | 21 | Disc | Front | 3.9/5 |
| Mongoose Hitch Men’s All-Terrain Fat Tire Mountain Bike | 26” | Steel | 7 | Disc | Rigid | 4.3/5 |
| Speedrid Electric Bike 48V 500W Fat Tire Electric Bike | 26” | Aluminum | 7 | Disc | Front | 4.3/5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques: What type of Mountain bike is suitable for desert riding?
Ans: Fat bikes. They were originally designed for the riders who used to frequently travel across sand and snow. Hence they are perfect for riding on a wide range of terrains including sand, snow, mud, dirt, rocky mountain trails, pavement, or swampy marshes. These fat bikes are perfect for desert riding or even biking over the moist hard sand of the beaches.
Ques: Are the Fat Bikes fast as compared to other types of MTB?
Ans: Generally, No. The reason being, the fat wider tires of the mountain bike have a low air pressure and a comparatively heavier frame that makes them move slower. Although this specific difference in their design makes them convenient to ride on trails like sand and snow, making them faster than other bikes that are not compatible with such terrain.
Ques: Why are fat tires used in mountain bikes for desert riding?
Ans: Fat tires are all suitable for desert riding because they allow stability, balance, and better weight distribution over the top of the surface. Thus they enable you to ride your mountain bike without sinking in the deep porous sand.
Ques: What are the precautions to be taken while riding a mountain bike on sand?
Ans: The most important point is to follow a steady speed, which should neither be too high nor too slow. While hitting the brakes, never make a sharp turn and stop quickly. Always use the rear brakes while intending to stop the bike. It is advised to use both the brakes altogether to avoid sinking in or falling over the sand.
Conclusion
With this article, I hope that I played my parts with ample guidance to get yourself a perfect Fat bike for Desert Riding.
There are many areas across the world covered with pale yellow sand, either of the deserts or the playful beaches.
The people residing around such areas look at sand excursions as a part of their daily lives.
Even though the world today is all equipped with high technology transportation system, Mountain biking is always the elixir of life in times of an unsafe eco-system and environment.
And when, in the note, is the desert excursion and the stubborn sand, Mountain bikes for Desert riding are all beside us to challenge it.
I see desert riding as not a difficult task when it comes to your will and zeal. The soft porous sand can never be a hurdle if you genuinely intend to go on the excursion gliding throughout the desert with your fat-tire bike.
Even in the case of the moist beach sand, you just need to focus on the serenity of the sunset rather than anything else, as Mountain bikes for desert riding are always at the rescue.
Make sure that you clean your MTB after riding it in a desert. In case if you don’t know how to do it, then read my other article on How Ofter You Should Clear Your Bike?